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Message |
    
notehead
Citizen
Username: Notehead
Post Number: 650
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 13, 2003 - 3:14 pm: |     |
Not every bit of environmental news is negative. There's plenty to be outraged about, especially these days. But hey, there's some good news, too.
-- GM and DaimlerChrysler have agreed to settle a lawsuit over California's regulation that calls for increased production of low-emission and zero-emission cars and trucks between 2005 and 2020. New York and Massachusetts have previously announced plans to follow California's lead by mandating sales of zero-emission vehicles. (New York Times, Danny Hakim, 12 Aug 2003)
-- Also in California, two chemicals that have been shown to accumulate in the blood of mothers and nursing infants are finally being banned. The chemicals, called PBDE's, are widely used in furniture, electronics, plastics, and foams. The ban goes into effect in 2008, giving manufacturers time to adapt and find alternatives. A similar ban in Europe starts next summer, and China & South Korea are also considering bans. These chemicals accumulate rapidly in the bodies of humans and animals, and are suspected of contributing to learning disorders, attention deficit, and hyperactivity in kids. (San Jose Mercury News, Don Thompson, 09 Aug 2003)
-- U.S. District Judge Edmund Sargus, Jr., ruled that a utility company in Ohio violated federal clean air laws by failing to install pollution controls when upgrading seven of its power plants. He said that FirstEnergy's Ohio Edison violated the New Source Review rules of the Clean Air Act, and also had some sharp words for the U.S. EPA's enforcement practices, saying the case "highlights an abysmal breakdown in the administrative process." The same judge will hear another case later this year involving 10 power plants operated by American Electric Power Service Corp., also based in Ohio. Power plants in Ohio contribute significantly to pollution in NJ. (Washington Post, Eric Pianin, 08 Aug 2003)
-- UPS and FedEx have begun phasing out diesel engines from their combined 100,000 vehicles in favor of cleaner, less expensive vehicle technologies. UPS already has about 2,000 vans running on alternative fuels, from compressed natural gas to electricity. Both companies say that more green technologies -- including diesel-electric hybrids and hydrogen fuel cells -- are going to be implemented because it simply makes economic sense. Although cleaner engines are more expensive up front, they are cheaper to maintain and operate. Compressed natural gas cuts fuel costs 15 percent and emits 35 percent less pollution; hybrid engines cut costs by 50 percent and emissions by 90 percent. (Business Week, Charles Haddad, 11 Aug 2003)
By the way, I get about 45 mpg in my Prius. I've gone 483 miles on one tank of gas. The 2004 model is expected to get 10 mpg more, has more power, and is a hatchback with fold-down back seats providing a huge amount of cargo space. |
ml1
Citizen
Username: Ml1
Post Number: 1199
Registered: 5-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 13, 2003 - 3:41 pm: | |
notehead,
do you know if it's true that Toyota is going to come out with mid-size hybrid models in the foreseeable future? The Prius seems like a good idea if you're in the market for a compact, but not if you need something a little larger. |
notehead
Citizen
Username: Notehead
Post Number: 651
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 13, 2003 - 4:30 pm: | |
I keep pretty close tabs on this particular subject, and I haven't heard much in the way of what specific hybrid models are on the way from Toyota. However, the 2004 Prius is also somewhat larger than the 2003. It will be about the size of a Camry, which I believe is considered a mid-size vehicle. |
Iaowks Reingold
Citizen
Username: Noglider
Post Number: 376
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, August 14, 2003 - 1:35 pm: | |
It's also possible to make diesel fuel much cleaner. There's a grade of diesel in Europe which is mandatory there. It is due to become mandatory here some time in the near future. I've forgotten which year.
Diesel is cheaper than gasoline. Given the high fuel costs in Europe, lots of people drive diesel cars there. I was in Paris last summer, and I didn't find the noise or fumes a problem at all. The cigarette smoke was the worst pollution problem.
So this is yet another good environmental story. I don't expect diesel cars to catch on here, and that's OK. The ramifications is that trucks which must use diesel will pollute less soon.
Tom Reingold
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James
Citizen
Username: Mcgregorj
Post Number: 31
Registered: 7-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, August 14, 2003 - 1:50 pm: | |
The best thing about diesel autos: you can convert them to run on used cooking grease.
http://www.greasecar.com
If and when I eventually buy a car, I'll definitely get a diesel Mercedes or VW and do this. |
Iaowks Reingold
Citizen
Username: Noglider
Post Number: 377
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, August 14, 2003 - 2:09 pm: | |
I've read other articles about "grease cars". It's a funny thought. I gather it takes more trouble to keep running than a normal car, but if it's your mission, more power to you. If you use used grease from a restaurant, I understand your exhaust will smell like french fries. One guy told a story about not being able to find diesel, so he went to a convenience store and bought a gallon of corn oil. While he was pouring it into his fuel tank, he got a lot of amusement when the clerk came running out, saying "hey, what are you doing?!" Of course, it's amusing, but it isn't economical to use fresh corn oil from the store to fuel your car.
Tom Reingold
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Iaowks Reingold
Citizen
Username: Noglider
Post Number: 378
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, August 14, 2003 - 2:09 pm: | |
I've read other articles about "grease cars". It's a funny thought. I gather it takes more trouble to keep running than a normal car, but if it's your mission, more power to you. If you use used grease from a restaurant, I understand your exhaust will smell like french fries. One guy told a story about not being able to find diesel, so he went to a convenience store and bought a gallon of corn oil. While he was pouring it into his fuel tank, he got a lot of amusement when the clerk came running out, saying "hey, what are you doing?!" Of course, it's amusing, but it isn't economical to use fresh corn oil from the store to fuel your car.
Tom Reingold
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gozerbrown
Citizen
Username: Gozerbrown
Post Number: 177
Registered: 3-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, August 14, 2003 - 4:11 pm: | |
Notehead -- Thanks for the constructive citations above.
It's so easy for people to criticize the powers that be for our environmental problems. Indeed, companies (and the govt) should take the blame for the deteriorating quality of our environment. However, since our economy functions on a supply and demand concept, personal responsibility needs to be exercised.
Almost every single item we own -- from our computers to our cell phones to the coffee cups and water bottles we so easily throw into the garbage -- is manufactured. Without demand for new products, companies wouldn't manufacture so many...and might therefore, pollute less. Something I wish was more "in fashion" is an emphasis on conservation. It wouldn't of course solve all our problems, but I think it's a start. |
Catalana della Quercia
Citizen
Username: Catalana
Post Number: 5
Registered: 8-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, August 21, 2003 - 1:05 pm: | |
Notehead, we are starting to look at the Prius so if you have any particular thoughts about it let me know - In particular safety features, as we have little ones. My husband is pushing for a Volvo for that exact reason, and is concerned about the light weight of the hybrids making them less safe (especially against SUVs).
Also, anyone on this thread know of any local environmental orgs. I would like to get involved. Also, what is up with the South Orange recycling program. From what I can tell, only about 4 houses on our block actually recycle.
Thanks, Cat |
Robert Little
Citizen
Username: Boblittle
Post Number: 49
Registered: 4-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, August 21, 2003 - 3:30 pm: | |
If you're really "della Quercia," I'd think you'd get a Toyota Siena. |
notehead
Citizen
Username: Notehead
Post Number: 669
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Friday, August 22, 2003 - 12:57 pm: | |
Cat, since the Prius has been totally redesigned for 2004, I don't have much info about safety features, although my 2003 has both front and side airbags, as well as anti-lock brakes. I've had absolutely no problems with the car since I bought it over 7 months ago. I doubt that it is any more vulnerable in crashes than other cars of similar size, but you might want to try to track down crash test info - if I come across any, I'll let you know.
For recycling, some folks purchase the big bins from the town and follow the pick-up schedule. Others, like myself, prefer to just head over to the recycling center when enough stuff has accumulated. (In my case, when plastic and bottles are all over the kitchen counter!)
For local environmental groups, I'd strongly suggest looking at www.njpirg.com. If they don't have specific activities that interest you, I'd bet they could point you toward other groups that you would like. |
notehead
Citizen
Username: Notehead
Post Number: 670
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Friday, August 22, 2003 - 1:17 pm: | |
More positive environmental news items:
-- Monsanto Co. and its spin-off, Solutia, agreed to pay $700 million to settle state and federal lawsuits concerning five decades of PCB pollution in Anniston, Ala. The companies used a plant in Anniston to produce PCBs, which are now banned in the U.S. because they are associated with health problems ranging from learning disabilities to cancer. The settlement involves more than 20,000 plaintiffs, who accused the companies of contaminating their bodies and properties with PCBs. They will also fund an education trust, community development, cleanup and remediation, and a clinic and research facility in Anniston specializing in environmental medicine and providing some free medical care. (Anniston Star, Jessica Centers, 21 Aug 2003)
-- A legal settlement signed recently by the U.S. EPA and Environmental Defense states that the agency has until April 2005 to cut haze in 156 national parks and wilderness areas, including Acadia, Big Bend, Glacier, Great Smoky Mountains, Shenandoah, Sequoia, and Yosemite. Last December, Environmental Defense sued the EPA for failing to enforce amendments to the federal Clean Air Act that prohibit industrial facilities from creating "regional haze" affecting parks and wilderness areas. The settlement will increase enforcement of clean air regulations at hundreds of facilities ranging from copper smelters to power plants. (San Francisco Chronicle, Jane Kay, 20 Aug 2003)
-- In the last three years, Texas has upped its wind-power capacity from under 200 to over 900 megawatts, or enough to power about a half-million homes. The state wants to see that number climb to 2,000 MW by the end of the decade, and optimists say it could go much further than that, to as many as 10,000 MW or more. That would still be just a fraction of the 77,000 MW generated by coal, oil, natural gas, and nuclear power in Texas, but with the state legislature offering tax breaks and credits for clean energy, it could easily become a reality. (Reuters, Matt Daily, 19 Aug 2003)
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OK, it's Straw Man
Citizen
Username: Strawberry
Post Number: 973
Registered: 10-2001
| | Posted on Friday, August 22, 2003 - 1:59 pm: | |
Here's some more great environmental news. I had gas earlier today, but it cleared up. |
notehead
Citizen
Username: Notehead
Post Number: 674
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Saturday, August 23, 2003 - 12:17 am: | |
Strawberry, why don't you explain to the group the reasons for why you are the way you are? Aside from the extra chromosome, I mean. |
OK, it's Straw Man
Citizen
Username: Strawberry
Post Number: 975
Registered: 10-2001
| | Posted on Saturday, August 23, 2003 - 9:36 am: | |
Notehead and the group.
TO ANSWER NOTEHEAD'S QUESTION...
I am the way I am because I eat to much fried food. As a result I sometimes get a little gastric acid. Nothing to worry about though. Just hope you're not sitting next to me on the morning train after a night at Red Lobster. |
guillermo
Citizen
Username: Guillermo
Post Number: 5
Registered: 7-2003
| | Posted on Saturday, August 23, 2003 - 10:12 am: | |
Is the "extra chromosome" comment some bizarre slap at people with Down's Symdrome? If so, it's really mean. Shame on you. |
OK, it's Straw Man
Citizen
Username: Strawberry
Post Number: 976
Registered: 10-2001
| | Posted on Saturday, August 23, 2003 - 10:33 am: | |
Notehead and I used to be very close before he bought the electric car. I begged him not to do so. I said, Notey (my pet name for Notehead) please don't buy that piece of junk, suppose one day we have a massive blackout. He said, it can't happen as long as we have Hillary Clinton looking out for us. I was unable to disagree. Anyway, back to my point.
Notehead was just taking a shot at me, he meant no harm. |
notehead
Citizen
Username: Notehead
Post Number: 675
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Sunday, August 24, 2003 - 12:00 pm: | |
Yes, Guillermo, my intention on a thread about environmental news which has just had one of Strawberry's typical "I have nothing to say, I just need the attention" contributions was to offend as deeply as possible all people with Down's Syndrome. Glad you're on the ball here. Stay tuned while I proffer a "bizarre slap" to fat people, people with Alzheimer's, people named Milton, and Belgians.
On several occasions I urged Strawberry to buy a Prius. I said, suppose one day we have a massive blackout. The pumps won't work. If we both have the same amount of gas left in our cars, mine will go at least twice as far as yours before it needs more fuel. He said it can't happen as long as energy companies are free to supervise themselves without pesky regulations and inspections. |
OK, it's Straw Man
Citizen
Username: Strawberry
Post Number: 978
Registered: 10-2001
| | Posted on Sunday, August 24, 2003 - 5:53 pm: | |
I actually took Notey's advice and purchased the Prias a few years ago. It was a big mistake. I was at a red light when a pack of Brownie troops pulled up next to me. Upon seeing my car, they dragged me out of the vehicle, beat me up with their hats and stamped on my glasses. I was then forced to walk back to Maplewood with a sign on my back that said "kick me". It was a rather humiliating affair, one I don't like repeating very often.
Since then I've taken to driving my big black Ford pickup. You may have seen it around town, it has the bumper sticker that says "My other car is a Harley." Pa likes to say..."Tough men drive tough vehicles." I think he's right.
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Andrew N de la Torre
Citizen
Username: Delatorre
Post Number: 78
Registered: 2-2003
| | Posted on Monday, August 25, 2003 - 7:44 pm: | |
I've been driving a Jetta TDI for about 5 years. It gets about 45+ MPG. I need to get a mini van to haul my three children around. I heard Honda may be coming out with an Odessy Hybrid. It that true?
I love the TDI, I just wish low sulfer diesel was available in the US. Good pick up and never had a day in the shop, except for an oil change.
It's great to see there are people in MW who think about the fuel efficiency and the environment. |
notehead
Citizen
Username: Notehead
Post Number: 679
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 26, 2003 - 12:00 am: | |
The TDI is a great car. VW has a model called the Lupo, not available in the U.S. that gets better than 50 mpg, and I believe its bigger than a Golf.
I have heard rumors about an Odyssey hybrid, but I haven't heard any specifics or seen any pix. |
notehead
Citizen
Username: Notehead
Post Number: 687
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Friday, August 29, 2003 - 12:46 pm: | |
Posting this on behalf of NJPIRG:
The recent blackouts put the spotlight on our overly complex, interdependent electric system based on large and aging power plants.
To prevent future problems, we need an energy system that increases conservation and efficiency while prioritizing smaller, cleaner and more local sources of power. This will save consumers money, reduce pollution, and reduce the need to ship power from region to region.
Energy efficiency is the fastest, cheapest and cleanest way to reduce the strain on our electric system. But instead, the energy industry and its allies want to build more transmission lines and power plants at public expense, and they are calling on Congress to further deregulate the industry in the name of modernizing the system.
Tell the governor and state regulators to hold utilities accountable for their stewardship of our electric system; require utilities to maximize efficiency and clean local power before charging ratepayers for new transmission lines; and oppose the energy bill currently before Congress because it takes us in the wrong direction. Then, ask your family and friends to help by forwarding this e-mail to them.
To take action, click here or paste this link into your web browser:
http://pirg.org/alerts/route.asp?id=313&id4=ES
Dena Mottola
NJPIRG Executive Director
DenaM@njpirg.org
http://www.NJPIRG.org
P.S. Thanks for your support. Please feel free to share this e-mail with your family and friends. |
notehead
Citizen
Username: Notehead
Post Number: 688
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Friday, August 29, 2003 - 12:47 pm: | |
Posting this on behalf of NJPIRG:
Dear NJPIRG supporter,
The recent blackouts put the spotlight on our overly complex, interdependent electric system based on large and aging power plants.
To prevent future problems, we need an energy system that increases conservation and efficiency while prioritizing smaller, cleaner and more local sources of power. This will save consumers money, reduce pollution, and reduce the need to ship power from region to region.
Energy efficiency is the fastest, cheapest and cleanest way to reduce the strain on our electric system. But instead, the energy industry and its allies want to build more transmission lines and power plants at public expense, and they are calling on Congress to further deregulate the industry in the name of modernizing the system.
Tell the governor and state regulators to hold utilities accountable for their stewardship of our electric system; require utilities to maximize efficiency and clean local power before charging ratepayers for new transmission lines; and oppose the energy bill currently before Congress because it takes us in the wrong direction. Then, ask your family and friends to help by forwarding this e-mail to them.
To take action, click here or paste this link into your web browser:
http://pirg.org/alerts/route.asp?id=313&id4=ES
Dena Mottola
NJPIRG Executive Director
DenaM@njpirg.org
http://www.NJPIRG.org
P.S. Thanks again for your support. Please feel free to share this e-mail with your family and friends. |
notehead
Citizen
Username: Notehead
Post Number: 690
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, September 3, 2003 - 1:56 pm: | |
-- Cities around the world could save billions of dollars on water-treatment plants if they dedicated resources to protecting nearby forests, which naturally filter and purify drinking water, according to a new report by the World Wildlife Fund and the World Bank. Researchers came to this conclusion after studying 105 metropolitan areas in both developing and developed countries. WWF cited the example of New York City, which in 1997 decided against constructing a new water-filtration plant that would have cost as much as $8 billion to build and $500 million per year to operate; instead, the city resolved to improve forest protections in the Catskills and Delaware watersheds, an effort that is costing only $1 billion to $1.5 billion over a decade. (San Francisco Chronicle, Jonathan Fowler, 01 Sep 2003)
-- While the Bush administration relaxes the federal clean-air rules governing the nation's power plants, refineries, and other facilities yesterday, environmental organizations and state attorneys general are preparing challenges to the rule-change. The states most affected by emissions drifting eastward from coal-fired power plants in the Midwest began to get their ducks in a row: New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, and Pennsylvania said they would go to court to block the rule change. "A large portion of the pollution impairing New Jersey's air quality comes from out-of-state pollution sources," said Governor McGreevey, "We will not allow the federal government to walk away from its responsibility to safeguard the quality of our air and protect the health of our residents."
(New York Times, David Kocieniewski, 29 Aug 2003)
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cjc
Citizen
Username: Cjc
Post Number: 60
Registered: 8-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, September 4, 2003 - 1:34 pm: | |
Stop the construction of more transmission lines and conserve. That will stop blackouts.
....brilliant people there at NJPIRG. What's their view of the wind farm that might obstruct Teddy Kennedy's view of the Nantucket Sound? |
notehead
Citizen
Username: Notehead
Post Number: 692
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, September 4, 2003 - 1:44 pm: | |
Posting this on behalf of the National Resources Defense Council (NRDC):
1. CLEAN AIR ACT PROTECTIONS
Earlier this year we asked members to send comments opposing the Bush administration's proposals to weaken a key provision of the Clean Air Act (called "new source review"). Although thousands of you (and hundreds of thousands of other concerned citizens) spoke out against the administration's plans, on August 27 the EPA announced it nevertheless will no longer require more than 17,000 of the country's largest polluting facilities to install modern pollution controls when upgrading or modifying equipment and significantly increasing their pollution. The changes will mean thousands more asthma attacks, hospitalizations, and premature deaths across the country each year.
Some of the same companies that have been prosecuted for new source review violations are major contributors to the Bush campaign and had easy access to Vice President Cheney's 2001 energy policy task force -- which initiated this clean air assault. In addition, just a week after the EPA's announcement, two high-level EPA air officials left the agency to take jobs lobbying for Southern Company, a major polluter and defendant in the violations cases that lobbied heavily for the rule change.
NRDC and other environmental organizations will soon file a lawsuit to have this harmful rule change declared a violation of the Clean Air Act and to block it from taking effect. States around the country will also be going to court to challenge the new rules. Thanks to all of you who spoke out against this egregious rollback of one of our most fundamental environmental laws.
2. JUDICIAL NOMINATIONS
In February we asked members living in 10 states to call your senators who were important swing votes in the confirmation battle over President Bush's nomination of Miguel Estrada to the United States Court of Appeals for the Washington, DC Circuit. Environmentalists joined a coalition of Hispanic, African-American and other groups in opposing Mr. Estrada's nomination based on his lack of judicial experience and failure to answer questions on his legal views posed by members of the Senate Judiciary Committee. This broad-based opposition fueled seven successful Democratic filibusters of the nomination between February and the August recess. We've learned that the administration will announce that Mr. Estrada has withdrawn his name from consideration. Thanks to the thousands of you who contacted your senators and helped ensure that Mr. Estrada was prevented from receiving a lifetime appointment to a court that is vitally important to protecting our environment and health.
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http://www.nrdc.org |
notehead
Citizen
Username: Notehead
Post Number: 694
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, September 4, 2003 - 2:49 pm: | |
I don't know NJPIRG's views on that, although I'd be willing to bet that they are for the wind farm. While I think it's a shame that the view of the sound will be altered, I think the benefits of the wind farm outweigh the detriments. |
shh
Citizen
Username: Shh
Post Number: 637
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, September 4, 2003 - 5:50 pm: | |
Notehead,
What's your opinion on solar panels? We just got a card in the mail with some sort of rebate for installation, and I'd be curious to know if they would reduce energy consumption, and provide us with a positive alternative to using PSEG. |
notehead
Citizen
Username: Notehead
Post Number: 695
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Friday, September 5, 2003 - 3:18 pm: | |
If you have a good area of shade-free, south-facing roof, then solar panels are a truly fantastic idea. It's always been a plan of mine to put some up after I finished other essential work on my house - maybe I should check out that card you got and make the move myself.
There are two major types of photovoltaic systems: self-contained, battery-backed systems that let you cut yourself completely off from the grid and are sized so that you could power your entire home for at least 3 or 4 days with zero sunshine, and "grid-intertied" systems that let you utilize solar power when the sun is out, and grid power when there's no sun or when you are drawing more than the system can supply. Most states have "net-metering" rules that require the power company to pay you for any solar energy you produce that you do not utilize. (I particularly like that part.) I'm not sure what NJ's net-metering status is with that currently. I much prefer the grid-intertied type of system. You can start with just a few panels, and always add more on when you have the cash and inclination. Solar panels generally last at least 20 or 25 years, and the time it takes for them to produce enough energy to pay for themselves is roughly from 5 to 10 years, depending on the deal you get, any rebates, and your electricity rates. I really encourage you to go for it.
One company that sells a wide variety of solar energy products and can provide you with a ton of great information is www.realgoods.com. |
shh
Citizen
Username: Shh
Post Number: 639
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Saturday, September 6, 2003 - 9:28 am: | |
Thanks for the info. Unfortunately, south-facing would be the front of my house, and I don't think solar panels would fit the look (you've seen my house so you can laugh if you want!) I'm after. I'll try to dig up the card, get more info from the company, and pass it along... |
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